 The Oboe BBoard
|
Author: hautboisteur
Date: 2006-12-28 13:54
Most professional Oboes I've seen have a metal ring around the bell.
Is it ornamental or does it have some function?
I've also seen an oboe with a similar ring, but on the top joint . What does that do?
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Chris P
Date: 2006-12-28 15:30
It's only decorative when fitted to the bell. But the reason why they're not fitting them on oboes all that much now is that they do become loose and rattle around.
The top joint rings you've seen is a crude method of fixing a split top joint by flush banding - a groove (or two) is machined into the top joint and a silver band is fitted in this, then it's compressed so it's a tight fit and turned down so it's flush with the wood to stop the crack opening up again.
But this is not only a conspicuous (and ugly looking) repair, it also constricts the bore at the point where the flush band is fitted if compressed too much. If it hasn't been compressed enough or the joint has shrunk, it too can loosen and rattle around.
Pinning is a better method of crack repair (provided it's carried out well and finished well it's hard to tell where the pins are), short of transplanting the whole joint 9which means the instrument has to be played in again as though it's a brand new one).
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: oboist
Date: 2006-12-28 18:45
Howarth XL,Rigoutat Evolution,Loree Royal,Ludwig frank,Buffet,Josef,Marigaux 2000 series,Puchner,Bulgheroni,Fossati,Dupin,T.Hiniker, Sparks,Adler don't have bell ring
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: vboboe
Date: 2006-12-28 22:56
... so then it's a proven fact that bell rings really don't improve resonance or quality of sound after all ??
- it's a rattling disadvantage for sure when it's loose
- it certainly adds more weight to the instrument overall
+ it's more economical to produce oboes by not making bell rings, have note long list of makers who don't do them
+ the metal band does provide some wood protection against knocks and chipping for the widest part of the bell
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Chris P
Date: 2006-12-28 23:22
The widest part of the bell is also the thickest, and doesn't really need reinforcing.
What companies say in their brochures about the metal bell ring adding 'depth of tone' or 'increases resonance' etc. is all complete cack.
Old oboes with thin bell rims had a metal band fitted to protect the edge (and the metal ring was thick, almost like a clarinet one), but as bell rims are now very thick, there's no need for a metal bell ring at all.
Some Rigoutats that had the metal bell ring even turned it down so it was flush, just like a flush band but on the bell instead.
Only serious flaws in the timber or careless handling (ie. being dropped straight down onto a concrete floor) will cause a bell to split, even with a bell ring fitted.
And chips in the bell rim are much easier to fix if there's no bell ring fitted.
Though some makes of cors anglais, oboes d'amore/amour and bass oboes still have bell rings fitted even though the oboes from these same companies may not, and vice versa.
The metal bell ring is purely a decorative feature. But personally I still prefer them with bell rings fitted, and if I was to get an XL I'd probably fit a bell ring to it a we have plenty of them lying around since they're not being used anymore.
Or gold plate them and sell them down the market as hoop earrings for the Worthing chavettes.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Craig Matovich
Date: 2006-12-29 00:36
That is funny!
I like funny.
I envision full-sized oboe bells and english horn bells hanging from the ears of many, especially oboe sections.
I may get pierced despite my wife's objections...
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: OboeAgain
Date: 2006-12-29 01:05
Chris, the bell ring on my oboe cracked a few summers ago. It was a very humid summer. I don't know if that contributed to the crack in the ring. At any rate, is there way to fix it? Would I just glue it together?
Walter
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Chris P
Date: 2006-12-29 12:10
You'd be OK to run some superglue into where the bell ring is to keep it from rattling or moving (as this can be cleaned up if you're having a new one fitted later on), but fitting a new one, or fixing and refiting your existing one does need a special collet used in a press to compress the ring tightly into the recess around the bell rim.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: DeletedUser
Date: 2018-04-29 08:48
Just a note if you want to buy thin superglue - speciality woodworking stores sell it. It is not a rare item and it costs under 11 dollars.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Chris P
Date: 2018-04-30 01:56
Blimey! This takes me back - although things have moved on a bit since 2006.
If you have a ringless bell that has cracked, then that can be repaired using a carbon fibre band set into a slot cut into the bell rim and hidden with filler.
Choosing the right kind of stand or peg is important on any instrument with ringless bells as you don't want a stand that's going to apply outward pressure in the bell as the weight of the instrument can crack it if it lands heavily or the stand is not supporting the bottom edge of the bell. Whie ringless bells have a thick rim around them, they can crack far more easily than bells fitted with a metal ring if subjected to undue force.
So use a stand with a flat flanged base to support the weight evenly (preferably with felt covering it) and a central cone that's only there to prevent the instrument from falling over and shouldn't be a tight fit within the bell. The last thing you want to happen is to pick up your oboe as well as the stand if it's stuck in the bell.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: MikeC855
Date: 2018-05-04 00:24
>The last thing you want to happen is to pick up your oboe
> as well as the stand if it's stuck in the bell.
My lightweight cor stand does this. Just enough friction there to carry the weight. I have developed the reflex to put my foot on the base as I reach for it. I never think about it until in rehearsal, and then promptly forget to do something about it... until the next rehearsal.
:-\
-----
Confounding band directors since 1964.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
